The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has announced changes to its Senate leadership, which has resulted to the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Senate Deputy Minority Whip.
While presiding over the Senate on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi informed lawmakers that he had received a formal communication from Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo conveying the party’s decision.
Kingi also announced that Migori Senator Eddy Oketch had been appointed the new Deputy Senate Minority Whip, replacing Sifuna with immediate effect.
“By a letter dated July 16, 2026, I received correspondence from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Stewart Madzayo, regarding the removal of Senator Edwin Sifuna as the Deputy Senate Minority Whip and the election of Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch to replace him,” Kingi said.
According to Speaker Kingi, the removal of Sifuna from the position complied with Senate Standing Orders governing the removal of minority leadership.
Standing Order 234 allows a senator holding the position to be removed through a majority vote of senators belonging to the minority party, while Standing Order 236 requires the decision to be communicated to the Speaker in writing.
Kingi further told the House that Madzayo’s letter was accompanied by the minutes of the minority party meeting held on July 15, 2026, documenting the proceedings and the resolution, as well as a duly signed list of senators supporting the decision.
